Fifteen Northwest representatives including seven Washington Conference teachers, four young people, and four support staff helped fifth- and sixth-graders in Korea improve their English in a fun, hands-on, interactive learning environment this summer.
The 150 middle-school students spent 10 days at the Step-Up English Summer Camp where they attended assemblies, played games and rotated through classes in writing, physical education, practical life skills, small group "family" time, science, and Bible.
"The students stole our hearts very quickly," says Lon Gruesbeck, Washington International Student Experience program director. "The students were appreciative to be able to participate in such a learning experience."
Dan Baker, Lewis County Adventist School principal, was one of the teachers who volunteered to teach in Korea. "I never worked with that age group, let alone in a foreign country, before," Baker says. "The kids were fantastic — eager to learn and get to know us better and share Korea with us."
As a follow-up, a delegation from Washington Conference attended two education expos in Seoul and Busan in mid-September where they interacted with hundreds of young people and families who are looking for an American school.
"This is a great opportunity to connect with interested families," Gruesbeck says. "We are learning to make the best use of every opportunity to recruit students."
Washington Conference teachers spent three weeks in Korea preparing and participating in the Step-up English Summer Camp for students in grades five and six.
